The life of your dreams

Philip Humbert says something about the life of your dreams. What does a GREAT life mean to you? That is one of the most important questions an adult can ask—and answer.

Too many of us wander through life and never examine that question. We fantasize that a great life is having money or fame, or raising a family, perhaps driving a new car or having a house in the Hamptons, but we never rigorously decide exactly how we want to live our lives, and what a GREAT life would be like.

We all know that a great life does not happen by accident. A great life is not inherited, nor does it come with a diploma, a promotion, with getting married (or getting divorced), having kids or retiring early. A great life is NEVER automatic, and it never comes packaged like an accessory along with the “goodies” of life. Sure, lots of money, a penthouse apartment, political power or winning the Nobel Prize are wonderful things. I encourage you to aspire to any (and ALL!) of them, but none of them will guarantee you a great life.

To me, a GREAT life has a grand purpose, a central theme and a unifying vision. A great life is a lifestyle that is chosen “on purpose” and is lived in the service of a vision greater than itself. A great life is invested, not merely spent.

Secondly, a GREAT life, to me, makes a great contribution. A great life uses the talents and abilities of the one living it to change at least one small corner of the world and make it better. It stands up, speaks out, and gets things done. A GREAT life makes a measurable difference and leaves the world a better place.

Third, a GREAT life leaves a path for others to follow. It is good to DO great things, and even BETTER to do great things while teaching others to follow your lead. A GREAT life leaves a legacy. It inspires the next generation to go further, reach farther, dream bigger and achieve more.

I am convinced that every one of us has the ability and the opportunity to strive for a GREAT life. Greatness is not reserved for a lucky few, for the rich or the powerful, for the artistic or for any small category of people. Living a GREAT life is the birthright of every human being, whether we exercise our greatness in designing tall buildings, or by teaching children to stand tall.

Greatness is our heritage, whether we express our unique greatness in business or government, in art or music, in parenting, or in any of the thousands of so-called “small” ways that in our hurry and in our arrogance, we often overlook, but are absolutely essential. Most people remember a special teacher, and many of us had an uncle who taught us to whistle or a grandmother who taught us to read. Perhaps there was a neighbor who taught us to fish, who gave us our first job, or dared us to persevere when things were hard.

We all have the opportunity, and the challenge, to make a difference and to be GREAT. Each of us is invited to live a magnificent life—a life of substance and distinction that changes the world for those we touch.

I love the story of the “star thrower,” which is about a man walking on a beach after a storm, throwing starfish back into the ocean so they won’t die on the shore. Someone criticizes him for wasting his time, noting that there are millions of starfish, that he can’t possibly throw them all back, and the few he saves won’t make much difference. The man silently bends over, throws a starfish into the surf and replies, “It made a difference for that one.”

Set it as your minimum standard to live a GREAT life—to make a difference. Eventually, down the road one day, we will all have to look back and assess our lives. When that time comes, we want to look back and smile, knowing we did it well. Set THAT as your standard, and go for it!

This is a nice article. But, only one thing is lacking and it happens to be the most important thing. Nothing is better than having a great life both here in this planet as well as the one beyond this. Live a great life here and now investing on the next life. The next life is in Christ, and then we realize how truly great life really is not because life itself is great, but because He is.(Join me in a whole-day learning event this Nov. 10 entitled “Culture of Personal Excellence” from 10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. at the beautiful Santolan Town Plaza in Little Baguio, San Juan City. Limited seats available. For further inquiries contact April at +63928-559-1798 or visit the website www.successoptionsinc.com/cpe)